KARACHI: Forecast for much awaited rainfall in Karachi has put the city administration on red alert. Rehan Hashmi, chairman, District Government for Karachi Central on Tuesday declared emergency in the thickly populated district cancelling leave granted to the concerned staffers and officers.

This was said to help expedite the ongoing cleanliness of the nullahs and rain drains in the area falling under his jurisdiction.

The network of rain drains spread over an area of 40km is being taken care of by the district government for the past several months with special focus on removal of encroachments and unauthorised constructions.

Meanwhile, as per directives of the DMC chairman, all sewerage lines have already been kept in running order to contain possible flooding consequent to heavy showers expected during the fast approaching monsoon spell.

Sanitation department of DMC-Central was actively engaged in removing garbage heaps comprising diverse categories of waste including plastic material as well as other solid goods which, if allowed to flow into drains with rain water, may wreak havoc for residents.

Mr Hashmi has appealed to the citizens to cooperate with the district government and help ensure safety of their public rights in terms of lives as well as property.

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2018